Clutch Hit In Extra-Innings Propels Manatees Over Bradenton 5-4 At Space Coast Stadium
By Brevard County Manatees // May 13, 2015
BREVARD COUNTY • VIERA, FLORIDA – The Brevard County Manatees (15-16) received a clutch hit from Christopher McFarland in the 11th inning on Tuesday night in a 5-4 win over the Bradenton Marauders (16-16) at Space Coast Stadium.
Tied at four in the bottom of the 11th, Omar Garcia pushed a bunt single to lead things off.
After Cameron Garfield bunted into a force out, Steven Halcomb grounded one to second. Garfield was retired at second base, but a good takeout slide allowed Halcomb to reach first with two outs.
Angel Ortega then singled to bump Halcomb up to second.
Christopher McFarland stepped up and lined a single into center field to score Halcomb and win the game for the Manatees.
Brevard County held a 4-1 lead after five innings, but Bradenton scored single runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth to tie the game at four. Edwin Espinal hit a two-out RBI single to center to score Jose Osuna in the sixth against Jorge Ortega.
Ortega did not factor into the decision. He allowed two runs – one earned – on six hits over six innings. He walked two and struck out three.
Jacoby Jones hit an RBI single in the seventh and Austin Meadows delivered an RBI base hit in the eighth for Bradenton.
Clint Coulter opened the scoring with an opposite field, solo homer in the bottom of the first. Coulter leads the Florida State League in home runs (8) and RBI (25).
After Bradenton scored a run in the top of the second, the Manatees responded with a pair in the bottom of the frame.
With one out, Jose Pena slapped a single to right. Halcomb singled as well to put runners on first and second. Ortega loaded the bases with a single to right field. McFarland lashed a base knock up the middle.
All of the runners moved up 90 feet. Taylor Brennan then bounced into a fielder’s choice that allowed Halcomb to scored from third. Brevard County led, 3-1.
The Manatees added another run in the fourth when Pena singled, stole second and scored on a Halcomb RBI single.
Tristan Archer was the first man out of the bullpen for Brevard County. He surrendered two runs on three hits and a walk in 1.1 innings. Trevor Seidenberger did not allow a run on two hits in his two innings of work. Preston Gainey (1-0, 0.00 ERA) received the win. He pitched 1.2 scoreless innings.
Andy Otamendi (2-3, 5.40 ERA) allowed the McFarland hit in the 11th and was hit with the loss.
The Manatees and Marauders will play at 10:35 a.m. on Wednesday morning.
RHP Hiram Burgos (2-3, 3.67 ERA) will start for Brevard County. Bradenton will send RHP Frank Duncan (2-1, 4.94 ERA) to the hill.
